Toggle-controlled, slidable outer jaw wrench



Dec. 4, 1956 w, MUNROE TOGGLE-CONTROLLED, SLIDABLE OUTER JAW WRENCH Filed Jan. 21, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Dec. 4, 1956 l.. w. MuNRoE TOGGLE-CONTROLLED, SLIDABLE OUTER JAW WRENCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2` Filed Jan. 21, 1955 N VEN TOR.

United States Patent O TOGGLE-CONTROLLED, SLIDABLE OUTER JAW WRENCH Lester W. Munroe, Cascade, Mont. Application January 21, 1955, Serial No. 483,243

3 claims. (ci. si-ss) This invention relates to wrenches.

It is an object of the present invention to provide va wrench which. will grasp the object with parallel jaws at any size within its range even after locking thereby providing advantages over conventional wrenches.

It is another object of the present invention to provide animproved wrench -which may ybe adjusted to grasp the object lightly or exceptionally strongly, simply by adjusting a rotatable sleeve forming a part of the invention.

It'is still lanother object of the present invention to provide an improved Wrench which may Ibe employed as an emergency vise due to the great amount of leverage which it can apply to the object.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a power lock wrench ibearing the above objects in mind which is rof simple construction, inexpensive to manu- Ifacture, has a minimum number of parts, is easy to use and efcient in operation. For other objects and -a better understanding of the invention, reference may 'be had 'to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

`Figure 1 is a side elevational view shown partly broken away of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the lock in the closed position;

, Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof shOWn partly in elevation, but with the lock in the open posi- `ion;

F Fig 3 is a top plan View of the device as shown in f ig.

Fig. 4 lis a transverse sectional View thereof to enlarged scale taken along the line 4 4 of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view thereof to enlarged scale taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

IFig. 6 is a transverse sectional view thereof to enlarged scale taken along the line `6 6 of Fig. l;

Fig. 7 is `a fragmentary side elevational view of a modified form of the present invention; and

Fig. 8 is a side view shown partly in elevation and partly in section of a still further modified ,form of the present invention.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing, 10 represents a at elongated b'ar integrally formed at one end with a reduced extension 111 externally threaded along its upper and lower edges, the ilat extension 11 being in turn integrally formed with the externally threaded cylindrical extension 1=2, substantially as illustrated.

The other end of the ba-r 10 is integrally formed with a jaw base 13 extending laterally therefrom and at an .obtuse angle for a purpose which Will hereinafter become clear.

A flat housing 14 slidably receives therethrough the bar 10, the end of the housing 14 remote from the jaw base `13 being integrally formed with a Cylindrical en largement 15. The end of the housing 14 adjacent the jaw base r13 is integrally `formed with the depending jaw plates 16 which receive therebetween the slidable jaw base Patented Dec. 4, 1956 17, vthe jaw Xbase 17 being retained tbetween the jaw plates 16 by means of a pin 18 iixedly carried by the jaw base which extends outwardly through an elongated downwardly inclined slot 19 provided in the jaw plates. It will be noted that the adjacent edges of the jaw bases 13 and 17 are parallel lto each other.

As shown in Fig. 6, the jaw base 17 on opposite sides near its forward edge is provided with the 4transversely aligned grooves 20 which receive therewithin the inwardly extending anges 21 formed in the sides of the tooth plate 22 which lits onto lthe forward edge of the jaw base, the centralpoition'of the tooth plate 22 being integrally formed with the teeth 123 adapted to engage one side of the object, as will be o-bvious. The lower end of the tooth plate 22 is integrally formed with the bottom plate 24 (Fig. 2) which extends across the bottom surface of the jaw base 17 and which is secured thereto by means of a lscrew 25 whereby to iixedly mount the tooth plate 22 on t-he jaw base. Upon removal of screw 25, however, the tooth plate may Ibe `slid downwardly land out of engagement with the jaw base for replacement purposes. v

An identical jaw plate 26 having teeth 27 is similarly mounted on the jaw `base 13 by means of an integrally formed bottom plate 2S and 4the screw 29 (Fig. 2). It will -be noted that the teeth 23 and 27 are parallel to each other.

A cylindrical coupling 30 has an enlarged internal bore 31 (Fig. 2) which receives therewithin the cylindrical enlargement 15 of the housing 14, the coupling 30 being secured to the housing 15 by means of the screws 32. The coupling 30 is also provided with a reduced bore 33 which forms with the bore 31 #a shoulder 34.

An elongated hollow internally threaded sleeve 35 rotatably mounted within lthe bore 33 of the coupling is integrally formed with an enlarged cylindrical end portion l36 rotatably mounted within the bore 31 adjacent the end of the housing 15 and retained therein by the shoulder y34. The sleeve 35 at the end thereof remote from the enlargement 36 is formed with the end wall 37. The threaded extension 11 and externally threaded extension 12 are in threaded engagement with the interior thread `of the sleeve 35 whereby upon rotation of the sleeve 35 the bar 10 will be moved longitudinally within the housing 14 by a fine adjustment. This will, in effect, adjust the position of the teeth 23 Irelative to the 'teeth 27 for a preliminary adjustment upon the object.

The external surface of `the sleeve 35 is knurled as at '38 -to facilitate the rotational movement thereof.

A flat power lever 39 is integrally formed at one end along the opposite longitudinal edges thereof with the depending plates l40 which -straddle the housing 14 on opposite ysides and are pivotally connected thereto by means of the laterally laligned pins 41. To facilitate the rotation of `the power lever 39 the end thereof remote from the plate 40 is integrally formed with the upwardly extending portion 42 which terminates in the offset handle portion 43 freely spaced from the coupling 30 and sleeve 3S.

A pair `of links -44 are each pivotally connected at one end to the outer face of each of the plates 40 by means of pins 45. It will ibe noted 'that when the power lever 39 is in the closed position of Fig. l that the pins `45 are located below the pins `4-'1 and spaced rearwardly therefrom.

A pair of-triangular plates 46 are disposed on the outer faces of each of the plates 16 and are pivotally connected at their lower ends to the opposite ends of the pin 18. The upper coi-ner of each of the plates 46 is pivotally connected to the inner face of one of the links 44 by means of the pins 47. The remaining corner 3 of each of the plates -46 is pivotally connected to a unitary pin 4S which pierces the housing 44, the bar 10 having an elongated slot 49 therethrough within which rides the central portion of the unitary pin 48. It will be noted that when the power lever 39 is in the closed position of Fig. 1 that the arms or links 44 extend upward slightly from the pins 45 (with the pins 47 aligned longitudinally with the pins 41) and that the pin 13 is in the upper end of the slot 19.

It will thus be noted that when the power lever 39 is in the raised position of Fig. 2, the pin 13 is in the lower end of the slot 19 and thus the jaw base 17 is displaced longitudinally from the jaw base 13. However, upon closing the power lever 39, a very powerful leverage will be brought into operation by the movement of the jaw base 17 toward the jaw base 13 by the amount that the pin 1S moves within the slot .19 in a longitudinal direction. Due to the position of the pins and links, the lever bar 39 will remain in the open position while the jaw teeth 23 and 27 are tightened upon the object after which the lever may be closed manually to bring great leverage into operation. By adjusting the sleeve 35 prior to the lowering of the power lever 39, however, the leverage may be adjusted as to be very slight or very great, as desired. It will also be noted that `during the locking and adjusting operations the teeth 23 and 27 are parallel to each other at all times.

In operation, the object is first placed between the teeth 23 and 27 and the teeth are then brought into engagement with the opposite sides of the object by means of rotational movement of the sleeve 35. This adjustment of the sleeve 35 is done with the power lever 39 in the open or raised position of Fig. 2, thus permitting the jaw base 17 and teeth 23 to drop back against the Wrench housing 14. The lever 39 is then lowered to the position of Fig. l, to lock the article between the jaws. The downward movement of the power lever 39 forces the jaw base 17 and teeth 23 down towards the object and teeth 27 by a pulling action on the links 44 connected to the pins 45 and 47 which in turn pivot the plates 46 on piu 48 which is integral with the wrench housing 14, thereby forcing the pin 18 which is integral in the jaw base 17 longitudinally towards the teeth 27, which in turn put the pressure on the jaw base 17 and teeth 23 to hold the object with a tremendous or light grip, depending on which way the adjustable sleeve 35 has been previously moved. The locking action is effected by pin 45 which pulls from pin 47 and must be below the center of the power or pin 41. Pin 45 is connected to the lever 39 only to enable it to pivot and raise or lower with lever 39. The slot 19 is at a slight angle, to conform with the raising or lowering of the lever plates 46 when locking or unlocking.

It should now be apparent that there has been provided an improved wrench which is practical, will provide a satisfactory device and which is capable of holding even round iron or steel, such as sitting stud bolts and engine blocks, etc. ln many places where it is awkward or physically impossible for a person to employ a common wrench, the invention will lock itself in position and stay locked until released by the power lock lever 39 and will prove superior to conventional wrenches in such application. The jaws may be formed smooth without the teeth 23, 27 for adaptation to regular smooth lock work (sheet metal work).

Referring now particularly to Fig. 7, there is shown a modified form of the present invention wherein the power lever is located directly behind the adjustable jaw base 17 to permit greater leverage or tension to be applied with less effort. in this case the housing 14 rearwardly of the plate 16 is integrally formed with the side portions 59 which terminate in the rearwardly and downwardly extending plates 51 while the jaw base 17 is integrally formed with a rearwardly extending por-V 4 tion or shank 52 which is received intermediate the plates 51. The pin 18 integral with the jaw base 17 again rides within a downwardly inclined slot 19 provided in the plate 16.

A power lever 53 integrally formed at its forward end aiong opposite longitudinal edges with the upwardly extending plates 54 which straddle the plate 16 is provided, the plates 54 at their forward ends being pivotally connected to the ends of the pin 18. The rear ends of the plates 54 are pivotally connected to the links 55 by means of pins 56, the rear ends of each of the links 55 being pivotally connected to the outside of each of the plates 51 by means of the pins 57. The rear end of the power lever 53 `is integrally formed with the curved shoulder 53 and is adapted to be moved upwardly against the lower end of the plates 51 when the power lever is in the closed position shown in full lines in Fig. 7. The power lever 53 terminates in the downwardly and outwardly bent handle portion 59 to facilitate its opening and closing movement. Upon closing the power lever 53 the pin 1S will be urged towards the teeth 27 in a manner similar to the previous form to apply great leverage or slight leverage as required to the object, which is already positioned intermediate the teeth 23, 27.

In other respects the form of the invention shown in Fig. 7 is the same as that shown in Figs. l through 6 andv like reference numerals identify like parts throughout the several views.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 8, there is shown a still further modified form of the present invention wherein an additional adjustment is provided and wherein the wrench may be employed as an emergency vise due to the increased leverage applied. In this form a power lever 6i) is integrally formed along opposite longitudinal edges at the forward portion thereof with the upwardly extending plates 61 which straddle the plates 16 and are pivotally connected to the ends of the pin 18. A bearing member 62 is integrally formed on the undersurface or bottom wall of the housing 14 and has screw threaded therethrough an externally threaded stud 63 which terminates at its rear end in an enlarged knurled knob 64, the stud 63 at its forward end being formed with the ball 65. A socket 66 which receives therewithin the ball 65 is fixedly connected to the rear ends of the links 67, the forward ends of the links 67 being pivotally connected to the plates 61 by means of the pins 68. The power lever 69 at the end theremF remote from the plate 61 is integrally formed with the downwardly and outwardly extending handle portion 69 to facilitate the opening and closing thereof.

In other respects the form of the invention shown in Fig. S is the `same as that shown in Figs. 1 through 6, and like reference numerals identify like parts throughout the several views. i

It will be noted that in each of the forms of the invention above, the sleeve 35 may be screwed completely off of the externally threaded end 12, 11 of the bar 10, to permit the separation of the housing and sleeve.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as dened by the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A power lock wrench comprising an elongated bar having a first jaw, a housing slidably receiving said elongated bar .slid-ably therethrough, a second jaw carried by said housing, adjustment means for drawing said rst and second jaws together, and power lock means mounted on said housing for forcing said rst and second jaws together, said adjustment means comprising a reduced externally threaded extension at the end of said bar remote from .said rst jaw, an internally threaded sleeve screwed onto said extension, and coupling means connecting rotatably the end of said sleeve with the end of said housing 'adapted to prevent longitudinal displacement therebetween while permitting rotational movement of said sleeve relative to said housing, said power lock means comprising a flat lever having depending plates straddling said housing intermediate said :coupling means and said first jaw, said depending plates being pivotally connected to opposite sides of said housing, a pair of links pivotally connected to each of said depending plates on opposite sides of said housing with said pivotal connection of said links being disposed below the pivotal connection of said depending plates with said housing when said lever plate bar is in a lowered or closed position, a pair of plates on opposite sides of said housing pivotally connected to the other ends of said links at their upper ends, said plates intermediate their ends being pivotally connected to a pin piercing said housing, said bar having an elongated slot adapted to receive said pin therealong, said housing Iat the end thereof adjacent said first jaw having depending plates receiving said second jaw therebetween, ia pin xedly carried by said second jaw and extending outwardly through said depending housing plates, said housing depending plates having elongated downwardly inclined slot receiving said jaw pin therethrough, said plates at their lower ends being pivotally connected to said jaw pin.

2. A power` lock wrench comprising an elongated bar having a tirst jaw, a housing slidably receiving said elongated bar slidably therethrough, a second jaw carried by said housing, adjustment means for drawing said iirst and Second jaws together, and power lock means mounted on said housing for forcing said first and second jaws together, said adjustment means comprising a reduced externally threaded extension at the end of said bar remote from said first jaw, an internally threaded sleeve screwed onto said extension, yand coupling means connecting rotatably the end of said Isleeve with the end of said housing adapted to prevent longitudinal displacement therebetween while permitting rotational movement of said sleeve `relative to said housing, said power lock means comprising a power lever having upwardly extending plates 'along opposite longitudinal edges of the forward end thereof, said housing having depending plates at the end thereof adjacent said first jaw, said depending plates extending rearwardly in side portions and terminating in rearwardly and downwardly extending portions, said movable jaw being positioned intermediate said depending plates of said housing. a pin piercing said second jaw extending outwardly through said housing depending plates, said housing depending plates having elongated `and inclined slot receiving the ends of said jaw pin therewithin, said jaw having a rearwardly extending shank slidably received between said side portions, the upwardly extending portions of said power lever at the forward ends thereof being pivotally connected to said jaw pin on the outside of said housing depending plates, and a pair of links pivotally connected at their rear ends to said rearwardly and downwardly extending portions of said housing and at their forward ends to the rear ends of said upwardly extending portions of said power lever.

3. A power lock wrench comprising an elongated bar having a first jaw, a housing slidably receiving said elongated bar slidably therethrough, a second jaw carried by said housing, adjustment means for drawing said first and second jaws together, and power lock means mounted on said housing for forcing said first and second jaws together, said adjustment means comprising a reduced externally threaded extension lat the end of said bar remote from said first jaw, lan internally threaded sleeve screwed onto said extension, and coupling means connecting rotatably the end of said sleeve with the end of said housing adapted to prevent longitudinal displacement therebetween while permitting rotational movement of said sleeve relative to said housing, said power lever means comprising depending plates in said housing at the end thereof adjacent said first jaw, sai-d second jaw being received intermediate said depending plates, a pin integral with said jaw and extending outwardly through said depending plates, said depending plates having elongated slots for receiving the ends of said pin therethrough, a bearing member on the undersurface of said housing rearwardly of said depending plates, a stud adjustable through said bearing member and in threaded engagement therewith, said stud at the rear end having an enlarged manually operable knob, the forward end of said lstud having a ball formation, a bar lever having upwardly extending plates along its forward longitudinal edges straddling said depending plates, the forward ends of said upwardly extending plates being pivotally connected to said jaw pin, and link means pivotally connected to the rear ends of said upwardly extending plates, and a socket member carried at the rear ends of said link means receiving said ball formation therewithin.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,725,301 Plante Aug. 20, 1929 2,391,604 Wallace Dec. 25, 1945 2,452,625 Alpers Nov. 2, 1948 2,454,744 Peterson et al Nov. 23, 1948 2,481,435 Meunier Sept. 6, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 420,678 France Nov. 30, 1910 

